William H. Wisener

William H. Wisener
Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives
In office
1853–1855[1]
Preceded byJordan Stokes
Succeeded byNeill S. Brown
Personal details
Born(1812-04-22)April 22, 1812
Bedford County, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedDecember 24, 1882(1882-12-24) (aged 70)
Shelbyville, Tennessee, U.S.
Resting placeWillow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, Tennessee, U.S.
Political partyWhig
Know Nothing
Opposition
Republican
ProfessionAttorney

William H. Wisener (April 22, 1812 – December 24, 1882) was an American politician, active primarily at the state level in Tennessee during the mid-19th century. He served four terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1847–1849, 1851–1855, and 1859–1861), including one term as Speaker (1853–1855).[2] A Southern Unionist, he led the opposition to secession in the House on the eve of the Civil War. After the war, he served in the Tennessee Senate, where he introduced the 13th Amendment for ratification in April 1865.[3]

Wisener was the Republican nominee for governor in 1870, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, John C. Brown.[2]

  1. ^ Historical and Constitutional Officers of Tennessee: Speakers of the House, Tennessee State Library and Archives. Retrieved: 29 January 2013.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference bluebook was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference 13th was invoked but never defined (see the help page).